'Iconic' Welsh mountain cafe reopens but name row erupts

The reopened cafe in the foothills of Moel Siabod
-Credit: (Image: No credit)


A row has erupted over the name of a newly reopened cafe in Eryri. Caffi Moel Siabod in Capel Curig, a favourite among walkers due to its close proximity to Yr Wyddfa (Snowdon) and other peaks in Eryri National Park, closed its doors earlier this year after the previous operators announced they were moving to run a new venture in Pentrefelin, near Criccieth.

Caffi Moel Siabod remained shut until recently when it was reopened by Nadeem Abbasi, who owns several Londis stores and also runs Abbasi's restaurant in Betws-y-Coed. He decided to call the establishment Caffi Siabod, explaining that the cafe is located under Moel Siabod mountain.

However, the former operators have expressed their discontent with his use of the Siabod name for the cafe. Their new site is called The Siabod at the Eisteddfa Fisheries. Join our WhatsApp news community here for the latest breaking news

READ MORE: Man branded 'traitor' as he saved last pub in Welsh village

LATEST: I tried the hidden restaurant in a stunning location that's not as exclusive as you might think

Despite understanding their "frustration", Mr Abbasi stated he wants to focus on working with the community to create a welcoming cafe and communal space. The issue has sparked debate on Facebook, with some criticising his choice of name, reports North Wales Live.

One user pointed out: "One cafe is at the foot of Moel Siabod, the other is near Criccieth, who's got the moral high ground here? " Discussing the plans to welcome people back to the site, Mr Abbasi expressed his vision.

Mr Abbasi said: "This site is iconic in this area for walkers, hikers and bikers. But it is not just for them as this site is so important to the local people in Capel Curig. It is a place to meet and we want to be part of the community and for them to shape what we do here."

He further highlighted his commitment to providing services that extend beyond the cafe. He added: "As well as the cafe we plans to have a store and also the mobile library coming and mobile post office. We will start as a daytime cafe but we have a licence and we will look to do more around evenings going forward. We know how much this place means to everyone."

They have recruited three individuals thus far and are supplementing their workforce with employees from Nadeem's other businesses. He aims to assemble a robust team of approximately 12 staff members by the upcoming spring.

Nadeen Abbasi has reopened the cafe in the foothills of Moel Siabod
The cafe closed its doors earlier this year after the previous operators announced they were moving to take over the cafe at the Eisteddfa Fishery in Pentrefelin, Criccieth -Credit:No credit

Elaborating on staffing plans, he said: "That is when the season will really start and we need to be ready to go. The good thing is in the winter months we are quieter and our staff can move to different sites and we can ensure they get enough hours. But by March we want a full team there."

Commenting on the recent discussions over the name, he said: "I understand their frustration - I know they put 14 years into this business. But the mountain is right under Moel Siabod - you can see Siabod from it. You can't trademark a mountain."

He added: "I just want to keep my head down and work with community rather than engage in these things." The former operators clarified on social media: "I would like to make it clear that he and we are entirely separate enterprises and that we do not consent to him using our trade name which comes with a reputation which took us many years of extremely hard work to secure.

"That said we understand the need for Capel Curig to have a successful business operating from our former site and if Mr Abbasi saw the light and created his own successful brand we would offer him our genuine best wishes for the future." For the latest restaurant reviews, sign up to our food and drink newsletter here.

The move has sparked a mixed reaction on Facebook, with one user describing it as a "bloody cheek", while another commented: "Neither business is a threat to the other, why not build each other up. It is a cafe with a view of Siabod, the name reflects that. I was an absolute fan of the original cafe, it has an incredible reputation, well earned, but I genuinely don't think this new cafe will deter from the original business."